While most of the ceilings in Casa Grande (the main building on the hilltop) date to the late 14th through early 18th centuries and come from Italy and Spain, the ceilings in the guest houses were designed by Julia Morgan and custom-made by craftsmen during William Randolph Hearst’s era. This ceiling in the guest house called Casa del Monte, like the ceilings in the two other guest cottages, was made of cast plaster and glistens with 22 karat gold leaf. The plaster ceilings sometimes required more effort and labor than the installation of the historic ceilings. In addition to numerous classical motifs, this one incorporates many specific, local references like the words “San Simeon” and eucalyptus leaves.
